How to Make Crispy Tostada Shells at Home

Love Mexican cuisine? Love tostadas but don’t know how to make the perfect tostada shell at home? Fear not, making tostada shells from scratch is incredibly easy and simple! With just a few basic ingredients, you can whip up delicious and crispy tostada shells in no time.

Tostada shells are versatile and can be topped with almost anything you like – from seasoned ground beef and beans to grilled chicken, shrimp, or fish. Moreover, making your own tostada shells at home is not only economical but also healthier since you can control the amount of oil and salt used. Stick around to find out how to make the perfect tostada shells in no time.

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Section: How to Make Tostada Shells

Gather the Ingredients and Equipment

Before you begin making tostada shells, gather the necessary ingredients and equipment. The basic ingredients include corn tortillas, cooking spray, and salt (optional). As for equipment, you need an oven, baking sheet, and tongs.

Preheat Your Oven

The first step in making tostada shells is preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature is ideal for baking the tortillas to a crispy texture.

Spray the Tortillas with Cooking Spray

Next, spray each tortilla with cooking spray on both sides. This step is important because it will help the tortillas get crispy as they bake. You can choose to use either a store-bought cooking spray or homemade oil spray.

Place the Tortillas on a Baking Sheet

After spraying the tortillas, place them on a baking sheet. Make sure they are laid out in a single layer, not overlapping. This will ensure that they cook evenly and get crispy all over.

Bake the Tortillas for 8-10 Minutes

Once your oven is preheated and the tortillas are lined up on the baking sheet, you can pop them into the oven. Bake the tortillas for 8-10 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crispy.

Flip the Tortillas and Bake for Another 5-7 Minutes

Using tongs, flip the tortillas over after the first 8-10 minutes of baking. This will allow the other side to get crispy, too. Then, bake the tortillas for another 5-7 minutes, or until they reach a perfect crunch.

Remove the Tortillas from the Oven and Let Them Cool

When the tortillas are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely before handling. This will prevent you from burning your fingers and also helps the tostada shells retain their shape.

Season with Salt (Optional)

If you prefer a little bit of salt on your tostada shells, you can sprinkle some on them while they are still warm. However, this step is optional and depends on your personal preference.

Store the Tostada Shells in an Airtight Container

If you have leftovers or want to make tostada shells ahead of time, you can store them in an airtight container. This will keep them fresh and crispy for a few days. Avoid storing them in a plastic bag, as they may lose their crispiness.

Enjoy Your Homemade Tostada Shells!

Finally, once you have your tostada shells, it’s time to enjoy them! You can use them in any recipe that calls for tostada shells, like a delicious tostada salad or Mexican-style pizza. Bon appétit!

Ingredients for Tostada Shells

Assemble your ingredients before starting to make your tostada shells.

• Corn tortillas: You will need at least two corn tortillas per tostada shell.
• Oil: Any vegetable oil can be used, but we recommend grapeseed oil or vegetable oil for frying.
• Salt: To season the tostada shells to your liking.
• Toppings: Tostada shells can be topped with various ingredients, such as beans, chicken, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and salsa.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Make Tostada Shells

Follow this easy step-by-step guide to make crispy tostada shells at home.

Step One: Heat the Oil

Pour the oil into a frying pan and heat it on medium-high heat.

Step Two: Fry the Tortillas

When the oil is hot, carefully place a corn tortilla in the frying pan. Fry the tortilla for about 1-2 minutes or until golden brown. Flip the tortilla and fry the other side.

Step Three: Drain the Tostada Shells

Using tongs, remove the fried tortilla from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain the excess oil. Sprinkle a pinch of salt on the tortilla while it’s still hot.

Step Four: Repeat

Repeat the frying process with the remaining tortillas until you have made enough tostada shells.

Step Five: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Step Six: Bake the Tostada Shells

Arrange the tostada shells on a baking sheet and put it in the oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until crispy and golden brown.

Step Seven: Cool the Tostada Shells

Let the tostada shells cool down and become crispy before adding your desired toppings.

Step Eight: Add Your Toppings

Once the tostada shells are crispy, it’s time to add your desired toppings. You can add beans, chicken, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, salsa, or any other toppings you prefer.

Step Nine: Serve and Enjoy

Once your tostada shells are topped to your liking, serve immediately. Enjoy your homemade, crispy tostada shells.

Step Ten: Store Leftovers

If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. The tostada shells will last for a few days and can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes to regain their crispiness.

Ingredients needed for making Tostada Shells

Making tostada shells from scratch is a fantastic way to customize your tostada. When making the tostada shells at home, you have the flexibility to choose your preferred size, thickness, and level of crispiness. Here are the ingredients you will need to make this Mexican delicacy at home.

Steps to follow when making Tostada Shells at Home

Tostada shells are incredibly easy to make at home, and it takes approximately 20-30 minutes to prepare and cook them from start to finish. Here’s a step-by-step guide to make the perfect tostada shells at home.

Step 1: Preheat Oil

The first step to make tostada shells is to preheat oil in a large skillet. You can use 1-2 cups of vegetable oil, depending on the size of your skillet. Heat the oil on medium-high heat to a temperature of 350-375°F.

Step 2: Fry the Tortillas

Once the oil is hot enough, carefully place a tortilla into the skillet using a tong. Allow the tortilla to fry for 1-2 minutes, or until it becomes golden brown and crispy. Flip the tortilla and cook for another minute on the other side until it’s crispy.

Step 3: Remove the Tortilla from the Skillet

Using a tong, remove the tortilla from the oil and place it on a paper towel to drain off the excess oil. When the tortilla cools down enough, sprinkle with a pinch of salt on both sides.

Step 4: Repeat the Process

Repeat the process with the remaining tortillas until all of them are fried and crispy.

Step 5: Serve the Tostada Shells

Your tostada shells are now ready to be used. You can fill them up with a variety of toppings like refried beans, lettuce, cheese, salsa, guacamole, shredded chicken, or beef. The possibilities are endless!

Tips and Tricks for making the Perfect Tostada Shells

Here are some pro tips to make perfect tostada shells at home:

Tip 1: Use Corn Tortillas

Corn tortillas work best when making tostada shells as they hold their shape well when fried.

Tip 2: Maintain the Oil Temperature

Maintaining a constant temperature of 350-375°F will ensure that the tostada shells cook evenly and become crispy.

Tip 3: Drain the Excess Oil

It’s essential to remove the excess oil from the fried tortillas, or it will make them soggy.

Tip 4: Use a Paper Towel to Drain the Excess Oil

Using a paper towel to drain the excess oil from the tostada shells is an efficient way to get rid of any excess oil.

Tip 5: Customize your Tostada Shell

Customize the size, thickness, and level of crispiness of your tostada shells to your liking. Experiment with different types of tortillas and toppings to achieve your perfect tostada shell.

Conclusion

Making tostada shells at home is incredibly easy, and you can customize them to your liking. Follow our step-by-step guide, and don’t forget to use our pro tips and tricks to create perfect tostada shells every time. Impressing your friends and family with tasty and fresh tostada shells has never been easier!

Happy Tostada Making!

I hope this article has been helpful and inspiring in your quest to make homemade tostada shells. Making your own shells can take your tostada game to the next level, and the possibilities for creative toppings are endless. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you visit us again for more food and cooking tips. And remember, don’t be afraid to get a little messy in the kitchen – that’s part of the fun!